1977 Bertani Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico

1977 Bertani Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico

1977 Bertani Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico wines are rich, red amarone wines from the traditional Classico viticultural zone of Valpolicella in Veneto, north-eastern Italy. As is the case outside the Classico boundaries, the principal grape variety is Corvina, backed up mainly by Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta.

All Amarone wines are made using the appassimento technique. Grapes are partially dried, gently pressed and slowly fermented. They must spend at least two years maturing in wood.

Amarone wines from the Classico zone tend to be the most elegant and aromatic. Those from Valpantena are generally lighter and fruitier. Bottlings from the extended Valpolicella region tend to be fuller bodied and more aromatic.

The popularity of Amarone has led to much greater production of the style across the wider Valpolicella region. This has created some variation in quality levels of Amarone wines.

Though great examples are made in other Valpolicella zones (Romano dal Forno to name but one), this has led to renewed emphasis on Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. Some of the stellar producers within the zone include Quintarelli, Allegrini and Masi. The finest Classico vineyards are found around Fumane, Marano, Negar and Sant’Ambroglio. The wines originating here rank among the best in Italy.

Bertani is an Italian wine producer in the northeastern wine-producing region of Veneto. The estate has two wineries: one in Valpolicella Valpantena and the second, Tenuta Novare, at the epicentre of Amarone and Valpolicella Classico Superiore winemaking country.

Bertani’s history dates back to 1857 when brothers Giovan Battista and Gaetano Bertani established the original winery in Grezzana, Valpolicella Valpantena. Today, Bertani comprises more than 200 hectares (500 acres) of cultivated vineyards across Verona: Lake Garda, Valpolicella Valpantena, Soave and Valpolicella Classico.

Valpolicella Valpantena is where Bertani produces its most revered wines – Secco Bertani (Verona IGT), Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella Valpantena DOCG. These are made from the region’s classic grape varieties including Corvina and Rondinella, as well as Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon from further afield. The newer Tenute Novare estate, purchased by Bertani in 1957, sits in the centre of a valley in the Valpolicella Classico region and is planted with vineyards on slopes of mineral-rich clay and basalt soils.